Day 217 - Getting Out of Your Comfort Zone
📖Daily Reading
Luke 4
🎥 Video
Join me on my morning walk as we rise and shine together by walking through the Bible daily and learn a practical applicable coaching nugget from the ultimate life coach - our creator (whatever that means to you). No judgement zone here, all are welcome, we are all on a spiritual journey because we are after all spiritual beings having a human experience.
📝 Reflection
Luke 4: 24
But I tell you the truth, no prophet is accepted in his own hometown.
Jesus role models and gives us a blue print that often in order to fulfill your calling and to level up in your life you will have to leave your comfort zone. After he gets baptized and the Holy Spirit is in him he immediately heads into the wilderness to be temped by Satan for 40 days. We aren’t told exactly of the timing but inferring that it is near the end of this 40 day period Jesus became hungry because he chose not to eat. The devil tempts him 3 times (there is our pattern of three again). Each time Jesus is able to resist the temptation by relying on scripture, God’s words and promises.
So here we have another wilderness scene and similar to John it serves as a preparation period for Jesus. I think Jesus puts himself to the test to make sure he is really prepared for what is about to come. He knows it is going to be challenging and it requires him getting out of his comfort zone. So he intentionally puts himself in a very intense situation of preparation and testing and getting really uncomfortable. I think we see examples of this in modern times too, with the military, sports, corporate ‘boot camps’ etc.. We have to prepare, train and test ourselves to have confidence of how we will handle ourselves under pressure as much as we possibly can before the ‘real’ test.
So Jesus passes the test and launches his ministry. He goes back to his hometown of Nazareth. There he announces who he is one day at the temple by reading scripture on the Sabbath at the temple and he reads from Isaiah about the prophesy of the messiah. At the end of the reading he says ‘this scripture you just heard has been fulfilled this very day’ (v21). They were all looking at him intently and were amazed. But then we hear ‘but how can this be, isn’t this Joes’ boy?’
Then they immediately want proof and he responds with the above verse. This enrages them and they mob him and push him to the edge of a cliff with the intention of pushing him over. Because he is who he says he is, he was able to easily pass through the crowd and go on this way. And so he moves on and begins traveling from town to town and begins to minister to people by preaching, healing and casting out demons.
So if even Jesus had to get out of his comfort zone to accomplish his mission, ministry, and purpose shouldn’t we also expect that we will have to as well? I know we don’t like it and we try to have it both ways, but when we do this are we really reaching our full potential and fulfilling our highest calling?
So looking at the ‘blueprint’ of the story, the first step is to enter into a wilderness period of testing, preparation and discomfort to get your self ready. We often mistake this period for ‘the thing’. We do this hard thing that was in reality just step one and what needed to be done to prepare you for the real challenge and excitement that lies ahead. We have to train and prepare first.
Make an announcement publicly to your community and loved ones. But also while recognizing that some of the people we love the most and who love us may not be our biggest supporters. This isn’t because they don’t love us or believe in us, often they express doubt and concern out of good intentions.
So prepare yourself for this as well and try not to take it personally. Like Jesus, be accepting as just the way it is and has always been. Don’t let it hold you back though or try to have it both ways- this will get you nowhere except scattered and unfocused.
Be resolved and just walk through pass through that crowd of thoughts and possible protests and go on your way in Love!
I know for me personally entering a wilderness period of getting healthier by giving up my beloved wine was very outside of my comfort zone and then doing the hard work of becoming un-entangled and un co-dependent and working on important relationships in my life. Setting up and maintaining healthy boundaries. Getting physically more active and over eating less and ‘all the things’.
It is heart work, it often gets worse before it gets better, but it is so worth it! It is lonely at times, like being in the wilderness and people don’t always understand, support or like when you decide to change. That’s ok, do it anyway! You are worth it and there are people in this world that need you and what only you can offer! On the other side of your comfort zone is true aliveness. But this is just the beginning my training, testing and preparation. I have been tempted, tried and I am still standing strong in my convictions and on my path💪🙏with God’s strength, love and grace.
✍🏼Daily Journal Prompt
How does this message encourage you today? How can you follow this blueprint and example of Jesus?
📖Tomorrows Reading
Luke 5
Coaching Opportunity
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